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LAS VEGAS, Nev.-The University of Hawai'i softball team (3-3, 0-0 Big West) opened action in the Wilson/DeMarini Desert Classic with a heartbreaking loss to BYU (3-3, 0-0 WCC), 5-4, on a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning. Hawai'i's Kanani Aina Cabrales suffered the loss, dropping her record to 2-1 while BYU's McKenna Bull earned the win to improve her record to 3-1 on the season. Kayla Wartner led UH going 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBI on Thursday afternoon at the Eller Media Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev.

The Rainbow Wahine struck first in the top of the second inning on a two-run single through the rightside of the infield by Kayla Wartner. The hit drove in Sarah McAndrew (who was pinch running for Kristina Akiona) and Tayana Mata. Both runners had executed a double steal to move into scoring position for the timely Wartner hit.

BYU got one run back in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI single by Gordy Bravo to drive in McKenzie St. Clair. UH still led, 2-1 going to the fourth inning.

Hawai'i responded by getting the run back in the top of the fourth. Lindsey Willmon ripped a double down the leftfield line to drive in Akiona who had reached on an error, giving UH a 3-1 lead.

But the Cougars posted two runs in the bottom of the sixth to knot the game at 3-3. The inning started with a line-out to short but then the next two BYU batters walked. Hitchcock then got the second out on a swinging strike out. St. Clair followed with a single to third but a throwing error on the third baseman allowed the two unearned runs to score.

Hawai'i countered by posting one run in the top of the seventh to re-take the lead, 4-3. With runners at first and second, Akiona laced a single to the left-centerfield gap to drive in Carlos from second for the lead.

But BYU got their first two runners on in the bottom of the seventh on a Lacey Hofstedt single and an unsuccessful fielder's choice at second. A sacrifice bunt to third pushed both runners into scoring position. An error on a dropped foul ball allowed Hofstedt to score a run to tie the game at 4-4. Later with two outs, O'Connor drove a single up the middle to drive in Bravo from third for the walk-off win.

Hawai'i's Hitchcock got the start but did not figure in the decision. She threw the first 5.2 innings, allowing three runs on four hits with five walks and two strike outs. Cabrales threw one-plus innings, allowing two runs on two hits with a pair of K's.

BYU's Arianna Paulson tossed the first 3.2 innings, allowing three runs on three hits with three walks and four strike outs. Bull earned the win, pitching the final 3.1 innings, allowing one run on three hits with four walks and seven strike outs.

Hawai'i continues the tournament on Friday with a double header against Utah State and Utah Valley at 11:15 am and 1:30 pm respectively. Both games will be played at the Stephanie Lynn Craig Softball Complex in Henderson, Nev. Live stats will be available only for the second game against Utah Valley at www.wolverinegreen.com.